"Are you a good walker, Ruth? Do you think you can manage six
miles? If we set off at two o'clock, we shall be there by four,
without hurrying; or say half-past four. Then we might stay two
hours, and you could show me all the old walks and old places you
love, and we could still come leisurely home. Oh, it's all
arranged directly!"
"But do you think it would be right, sir? It seems as if it would
be such a great pleasure, that it must be in some way wrong."
"Why, you little goose, what can be wrong in it?"
"In the first place, I miss going to church by setting out at
two," said Ruth, a little gravely.
"Only for once. Surely you don't see any harm in missing church
for once? You will go in the morning, you know."
"I wonder if Mrs. Mason would think it right--if she would allow
it?"
"No, I dare say not. But you don't mean to be governed by Mrs.
Mason's notions of right and wrong. She thought it right to treat
that poor girl Palmer in the way you told me about. You would
think that wrong, you know, and so would every one of sense and
feeling. Come, Ruth, don't pin your faith on any one, but judge
for yourself. The pleasure is perfectly innocent: it is not a
selfish pleasure either, for I shall enjoy it to the full as much
as you will. I shall like to see the places where you spent your
childhood; I shall almost love them as much as you do." He had
dropped his voice; and spoke in low, persuasive tones.
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